Trackhouse Racing is under intense scrutiny after NASCAR handed the team hefty penalties stemming from the Ross Chastain COTA penalty, following a dangerous incident at the Circuit of the Americas. The fallout includes suspensions for two pit crew members and immediate operational adjustments as the team prepares for upcoming races at Phoenix Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Penalizes Trackhouse Racing for On-Track Safety Breach
NASCAR announced Tuesday that Trackhouse Racing would face disciplinary action due to a high-risk safety violation involving driver Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet at COTA. The incident, which occurred when Chastain’s right-rear tire detached on lap 75 under green-flag running, resulted in the suspension of rear-tire changer Kenneth Pozega and jackman Josh Appleby for the next two Cup Series events.
This oversight is classified as a serious infraction according to NASCAR’s Section 8.8.10.4 A&D rules, requiring suspensions for two crew members if a tire is lost beyond pit road, along with a two-lap penalty imposed during the race itself. In this case, Trackhouse Racing’s crew quickly felt the ramifications as they were penalized immediately, leaving little chance to recover their race position.
New Crew Roles as Team Faces Upcoming Races Without Key Members
With Pozega and Appleby sidelined, reporter Bob Pockrass revealed that Deonte Wilson will take over jackman responsibilities, while Ben Weber. is set to fill in as the rear-tire changer. Both Wilson and Weber. have pit crew experience with Parker Retzlaff’s O’Reilly series car and are familiar with the team structure, but stepping into the Cup Series under these circumstances presents a distinct pressure that differs from their typical roles.
Trackhouse Racing must now compete in two consecutive Cup Series races—first at Phoenix Raceway, then at Las Vegas Motor Speedway—without their usual crew. The Straight Talk Wireless 400 in Phoenix is scheduled for Sunday, airing across FS1, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, followed by the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube in Las Vegas on March 15. Both suspended crew members are eligible to return when the series heads to Darlington Raceway on March 22.
Impact on Trackhouse Racing and Ross Chastain’s Cup Campaign
The suspension of two critical pit crew members is a substantial blow for any organization, especially given the complex choreography required during pit stops in top-level NASCAR competition. While Wilson and Weber. offer continuity by coming from within Trackhouse Racing’s roster, the group faces disrupted chemistry at a pivotal point in the season. For Ross Chastain, who has often found himself at the heart of dramatic moments, the latest incident was particularly damaging, as the lost tire led to a 35th-place finish and little to salvage from the event.
Internally, Trackhouse Racing must assess whether the problem was rooted in mechanical failure or human error, though NASCAR’s swift ruling underscored the organization’s strict approach to on-track safety. The COTA tire incident has forced the team to regroup rapidly to avoid further setbacks in the standings as they await the return of their suspended members.
The Broader Significance of NASCAR’s Swift Enforcement
NASCAR’s decision to enforce penalties so promptly after the Ross Chastain COTA penalty reflects the sport’s commitment to safety, deterring teams from costly lapses that could endanger drivers and spectators alike. The current episode serves as a sobering reminder that even a brief error during a pit stop can have prolonged consequences, not just for the race outcome, but for the team’s ongoing campaign. As Trackhouse Racing adapts with new face on the wall, their performance at Phoenix and Las Vegas will be closely watched, both for competitive results and for adherence to safety standards that define the sport.
Filling in for the suspended over-the-wall crew members for Ross Chastain (wheel came off at COTA):
Jack-Deonte Wilson
Rear Changer-Ben Weber
…they both work on the Trackhouse crew that does the Parker Retzlaff car in OReilly (Wilson does tire carrier duties there)— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 5, 2026
